Through his experience in foster care and extensive research as a doctoral student at UCLA, Demontea Thompson aims to raise graduation rates for other foster youth.
Co-founder of the nonprofit organization Twinspire, Demontea and his twin brother, UFC alumnus and board member Tray, have helped numerous low-income and homeless youth by offering them support and mentorship …
We’re excited to shine a light this month on Candi Marie, UFC NextGen Board Member and the host of our 2022 Fall Gala! As a Meisner-trained actress, TV Producer, and founder of her own media company Candi’s Creative, we are honored to highlight her this month.
Candi Marie’s path to success was less than ideal. Growing …
Recently, 25 pathways residents were celebrated for successfully completing the program. We are excited to announce that 75% of the youth moved out of their pathways apartment and into stable or permanent housing! The remaining 25% have secured safe living accommodations and are continuing to seek stable and permanent housing with the continued support of …
This month we want to shout out one of our Scholars, Manuel Diaz.
Manuel has been in the education program since 2015 and is now studying at Pasadena City College. This summer, he participated in the TV Academy Foundation’s summer internship program where he was placed at one of the world’s largest production companies, Endemol …
We are so excited to be back in person this year at a new venue – the beautiful Skirball Cultural Center. This will be a lovely evening with an elegant cocktail hour, a formal sit-down dinner, live entertainment, and award presentations.
We hope you will join us to learn more about United Friends’ impact on the …
We want to thank our NextGen board for putting together college care packages for our incoming freshmen! These care packages were put together with love and included many useful goodies like pens, notepads, hand sanitizer, gift cards, toothbrushes, and snacks. Thanks to this team, our students will feel more prepared for this new, exciting chapter …
On September 24th, our education team held a Hispanic Heritage Month workshop for the 6-12th grade scholars. Youth who attended the virtual event learned about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month, beginning with legislation signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson, to the expansion from a commemorative week to a month-long recognition …
Our October Hero of the Month is Junely Merwin, UFC alumna who actively advocates for youth in care and works to spread awareness about foster care through social media and her website. She first entered foster care at fifteen with her one-month-old son, but despite this challenge, she persevered and graduated with a BS in …
Brenda is a hardworking and determined individual. She has faced some great challenges but has kept pushing toward her goals. In January 2020 she joined UFC’s education program. At the time, she was starting her last semester at East Los Angeles College and was concerned about her housing situation. “I did not want to experience …
Recently, some of our staff got together with Molina Healthcare to package 30 college kits for first-year college students! The kits included school supplies, backpacks, toiletries, snacks, and much more.
Thank you, Molina Healthcare, for your generous donations, time, and care for our youth. With your help, we can provide our scholars with a great …